Bomb squad disposes of military ammunition found in Westminster

Staff reports

A State Fire Marshal bomb squad and an Army team from Fort Belvoir, Va., disposed of several pieces of military ordnance — including a live 75mm armor piercing shell — that were found in a home in Westminster on Monday, July 16.

Officials said the items, which included explosive training aids, were "rendered safe," after being transported to the Northern Landfill, in Westminster, so they could be handled in a safe environment.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal said in a release that the explosive materials had been found in a home in the 700 block of Old Westminster Pike on Monday at about 9 a.m.

Officials said the widow of an K-9 trainer who dealt with explosives was in the process of moving items inside the home when she located the materials and notified the Fire Marshal.

The bomb squad and members of the 55th Army Team determined a live 75mm Armor Piercing shell — along with some detonation cord and other training materials — were stable enough for transport to the landfill where they could be rendered safe without injury or property damage.

Route 140 was temporarily closed to traffic during transport of the materials as a precautionary measure at about 2:30 p.m. Monday. Officials said the items were disposed of by about 3:30 p.m.